Security fears over PSNI Croke Park game

Published Friday, 25 November 2011
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There has been a media ban put in place for the historic GAA match between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána over security fears for police officers from Northern Ireland taking part.

The match will take place at Croke Park in Dublin on Friday.

The two teams have played each other every year since 2002, however, the game will be the first held at GAA headquarters in Dublin.

Republican Sinn Fein plan to hold a protest outside the ground as the match is taking place.
Communications officer at the GAA, Alan Milton, said there will be one official photographer allowed, from the Gardai magazine.

"We take the guidance of people who are better taking those judgement calls than we are," he said.

"There are obviously concerns from some about what is happening today,' he added.

The police squads are playing for the McCarthy Cup, named after Thomas St George McCarthy, a 19th century RIC officer who helped found the Association in 1884.

A ban on British security forces playing Gaelic games was lifted in 2001.

The PSNI have welcomed the opportunity to play their counterparts at Croke Park.

"Both teams have met on a number of previous occasions and this game will give us another opportunity to test our skills and abilities. We have been training hard and I am optimistic that we will be able to put our tactics to the test," said PSNI Superintendent Gerry Murray.

© UTV News
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7 Comments
Stephen in Portadown wrote (547 days ago):
Ulsterman - I am sure the officers will be pleased to see you have such faith in their abilities that they cannot be spared. You do realise even Police officers have days off don't you?
gary in belfast wrote (547 days ago):
FAO Andrew. U need to look at the article again, i believe it states RIC.
Armagh in Armagh wrote (547 days ago):
There is nothing bigoted about opposing the normalisation of british rule in ireland, Occupation has never been normal nor will it ever be. As for Garys Comments, your very much mistaken, RSF have never campaigned for or cried out about a fairer, representative British Police force in Ireland, they have campaigned for the Removal of british occupation. Before you say what people have done perhaps you would care to check your facts, I think your mixing Sinn Féin Poblachtach up with something else.
Ulsterman in Ulster wrote (548 days ago):
Surely in the midst of the current crime spree on the lead up to Christmas would the PSNI officers not be better off patrolling in our province trying to detect crime.
Annie in Co Antrim wrote (548 days ago):
I personally think as a GAA player and working in the sport and leisure industry this is a great move to see PSNI play the Garda at the home of the GAA Croke Park and those that are going to protest need to wise up there is no room for your biggitoed attitude in sport if it takes sport to get all religions races together ETC... Then so be it these people need to see the bigger prospective stop being so narrow-minded
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